Glyndebourne - then, ..... and now.....

My first season at Glyndebourne was in 1968, and last Friday I drove down, to research my contribution to their productions over the years, with their charming and highly proficient archivist, Julia Aries. Oooh - to have such a treasure organising my filing system. To my surprise, Julia first presented me with my personal file, which contains the first two letters, written in 1967, applying for a position on their stage management staff - how's that for efficiency? The most surprising thing for me was the hand writing - so neat and text book accurate! One recommendation to students at the London Opera Centre, which I was attending in '67, was to always hand write an application - that can still be the case in England - prospective employers "read character" into it , don't you know ..!! ooooooh. It has been known for a person to persuade a friend to ghost write for them - naughty, naughty...With the advent of computers I think this is inevitably changing....At University, it is not now compulsory to be able to spell, even in the languages departments, which gives everyone a chance of higher education. Some folk don't approve, it would be like having a choral scholar who can't sing in tune to them....much debate on these subjects.... As Julia and I searched through hundreds of photo's, many items I'd forgotten emerged - it must have been a period of prolific output that I'd not realised at the time...Must say I took a few deep breaths at the variety and quantity... There is so much to write about, but I'll stop now and continue later ...I still feel breathless...but you .. please .....k..p b.......g...